With Mid-slab Bridge Means Patents (Class 404/56)
  • Patent number: 11149384
    Abstract: A CRCP repair system is provided. The repair system may comprise a precast pavement panel having one or more openings positioned in the bottom, side portions thereof, as well as reinforcing members embedded within the panel. The panel may also include a reinforcing fastening member extending into each of the openings. The repair system may further include a prepared side edge of the CRCP having reinforcing anchoring members epoxy cemented therein and extending therefrom, with the anchoring members configured to extend into the openings of the panel with the panel positioned in the void created by the removed CRCP. The anchoring members may be configured in a pair, with each pair positioned to extend into the opening, with the fastening member extending into the opening between the pair of anchoring members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: The Fort Miller Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Smith
  • Patent number: 11041318
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a load transfer plate and a load transfer plate pocket that co-act to transfer vertical or substantially vertical loads from one concrete slab to an adjacent concrete slab in an enhanced manner by minimizing the air gaps in the concrete slab in which the load transfer plate pocket is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Stephen Mason, David Graham Barnes
  • Patent number: 10801221
    Abstract: The present concrete crack repair device (CCRD) can be comprised of two nodules connected by an elongated strip wherein the elongated strip can be narrower than the nodules in at least one plane. Both the elongated strip and the nodules can comprise carbon fibers wherein most of the carbon fibers are located within the same plane maximizing the tensile strength of the device. Installation of the CCRD can be performed by drilling holes into the surface of the concrete on either side of the crack and cutting a slot in the surface of the concrete between the two holes, or adding the holes after the slot has been cut, wherein the slot and holes are located in a line that is roughly perpendicular to the crack. The CCRD can then be installed by placing each nodule in a hole and the elongated strip within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Luke Secrest, Jarred A. Jones, Gary L. Fox, Robert K. Smith
  • Patent number: 10400441
    Abstract: The invention concerns a floor-to-wall joint connection “BearStop” device for providing both a water-tight seal, as well as load-bearing and flexibility between two closely abutting or adjacent structures, such as the wall and foundation of a storage tank. Embodiments also provide motion or sliding capabilities to accommodate expansion and contraction in the joint area between the wall and the foundation. A knee section provides a testing channel usable for testing the integrity of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: CROM, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald C. Bevis
  • Patent number: 9957711
    Abstract: A flexible seal system for provision of a substantially watertight seal between adjacent concrete panels; said system comprising a first flexible seal member proximate a first end of one said concrete panel; said first flexible seal member including a surface component extending over a portion of an outer surface of said concrete panel; said surface component extending from at least one anchor component projecting from said surface component and embedded within said concrete panel; said first flexible seal member further including an overlap component extending from said surface component beyond said first end of said concrete panel; and a second flexible seal member proximate a second opposite end of an abutting said concrete panel; said second flexible seal member including a surface component extending over a portion of a surface of said abutting concrete panel; said surface component of said second flexible seal member extending from at least one anchor component projecting from said surface component an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Robert Edmund Curtis
  • Patent number: 9650800
    Abstract: A curb system for a concrete container is disclosed. The curb system includes a base slab having a planar mounting surface and a wall positioned on the planar mounting surface. An inner curb is positioned on the planar mounting surface adjacent to an inner surface of the wall, and an outer curb is positioned on the planar mounting surface adjacent to an outer surface of the wall. A first expandable waterstop is positioned between the inner curb and the inner surface of the wall. A first waterstop is positioned between the inner curb and the planar mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Dutchland, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Close
  • Patent number: 9260867
    Abstract: An anti-spalling edging comprising: a metal strip 21,31 adapted for concrete to be cast against, a return 22,32 along a top edge of the strip and forming a corner with the metal strip, a down-turn 23,33 from the edge of the return spaced from the strip and cut-outs in 26,36 the down-turn for anchoring it in the concrete and an elongate metallic member 201,202 extending in the corner, fixed to the strip and the return for reinforcement of the anti-spalling edge at the corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Permaban Limited
    Inventor: Rodney Malcolm Arnold
  • Patent number: 8919065
    Abstract: An expansion joint system for bridging a gap that is located between spaced-apart structural members. The expansion joint system may be utilized, for example, in roadway, bridge and tunnel constructions where gaps are formed between spaced-apart, adjacent concrete sections. The expansion joint system includes flexible moment connections for connecting vehicle load bearing members to the support member. In certain embodiments, the expansion joint system includes flexible moment connections and friction springs. The expansion joint system may be utilized where it is desirable to absorb loads applied to the expansion joint systems, and to accommodate movements that occur in the vicinity of the expansion joint gap in response to temperature changes, seismic cycling and deflections caused by vehicular loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Construction Research & Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Paul Bradford
  • Patent number: 8911173
    Abstract: A pavement slab including top and bottom surfaces, first and second longitudinal side surfaces, and first and second transverse side surfaces. The slab includes a first and second plurality of transverse holes formed within the first and second longitudinal side surfaces, respectively, a first and second plurality of longitudinal holes formed within the first and second plurality of transverse holes, respectively, and plurality of dowel bars. Each of the holes is sized and shaped to receive slidably a corresponding one of the plurality of dowel bars. Each of the dowel bars is slidable between a retracted position and an extend position in which the dowel bar forms a joint between the slab and another slab or preexisting pavement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Jersey Precast Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Amir Ulislam
  • Patent number: 8840336
    Abstract: A pre-fabricated pavement slab installation and replacement system is provided. The system includes a connector having an axial opening therethrough and engagement surface within the opening. The system further includes a pavement slab and an adjacent pavement slab, wherein a portion of the connector is embedded in the pavement slab and a remaining portion of the connector is exposed. The adjacent pavement slab has an interconnection slot, that can cover the remaining portion of the exposed connector. The system further provides that under the condition that the pavement slab and the adjacent pavement slab are cut apart, the connector is cut into a first half and a second half, wherein the first half of the connector contains the first engagement component and the second half of the connector contains the second engagement component. The first half of the connector can be subsequently removed by engaging the engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Fort Miller Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Smith
  • Patent number: 8826481
    Abstract: A waterproof expansion joint comprises a ballast protection plate and at least one locating device configured to retain the ballast protection plate over a deck joint. A flexible sealing member located below the ballast protection plate can include at least one flange portion and at least one expansion feature. Each expansion feature can include a shape preformed into the flexible sealing member extending downward into the deck joint and configured to deflect, enabling variation in the width of the flexible sealing member to match the width of the deck joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Versaflex, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Haydu
  • Patent number: 8790038
    Abstract: An expansion joint formed within a channel between two adjacent road surfaces and a method of preparing an expansion joint. The joint is formed within a channel having sides each extending from an adjacent road surface to a bottom side of the channel. The joint construction may include at least one layer of a binder covering at least a portion of the sides of the channel, and one or more layers of aggregate chips and the binder covering the at least one binder layer so as to fill the channel to at least the top of the road surface. The cumulative surface area of the two channel sides may be greater than the cumulative surface area of two channel sides each planar and perpendicular to the bottom. The joint construction may include a plate on the bottom side of the channel. The joint construction may include a flexible sheeting between the plate and the at least one binder layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Dynamic Surface Applications, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael F. Stachowicz, Richard P. Lee
  • Publication number: 20140086682
    Abstract: A pre-fabricated pavement slab installation and replacement system is provided. The system includes a connector having an axial opening therethrough and engagement surface within the opening. The system further includes a pavement slab and an adjacent pavement slab, wherein a portion of the connector is embedded in the pavement slab and a remaining portion of the connector is exposed. The adjacent pavement slab has an interconnection slot, that can cover the remaining portion of the exposed connector. The system further provides that under the condition that the pavement slab and the adjacent pavement slab are cut apart, the connector is cut into a first half and a second half, wherein the first half of the connector contains the first engagement component and the second half of the connector contains the second engagement component. The first half of the connector can be subsequently removed by engaging the engagement surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: The Fort Miller Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Smith
  • Patent number: 8591139
    Abstract: A plural-component, composite-material highway dowel bar and an associated fabrication methodology. The dowel bar includes an elongate, solid-cylindrical, high-shear-strength core bar, preferably steel, and an elongate, fiber-reinforced plastic-resin jacket, including an elongate, pultrusion-formed, tubular sleeve, and sleeve-received, opposite-end, end-well sleeve end plugs, fully surrounding and protectively covering the core bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Composite Rebar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Gibson, Matthew H. Noble, Trent J. Garber
  • Patent number: 8573884
    Abstract: Systems and methods of transferring loads between adjacent cast-in-place slabs, such as concrete slabs, and for accurately positioning dowels between adjacent sections of slabs are provided. A generally planar plate-type dowel is used which may be positioned within a cutaway in a preexisting slab of concrete. The dowel is shaped to generally conform to the shape of the cutaway, which is made by a saw blade. Once the dowel is positioned within the preexisting slab, a new slab is poured adjacent the preexisting slab. Rubber seals are included on the edges of the dowels to provide spacing or a gap between the dowel and the preexisting slab to allow for lateral independent movement of the adjacent slabs, and to prevent concrete from the newly poured second slab from entering into the gap. A saw unit for making a generally planar cut horizontally into an edge of a hardened concrete slab is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Donald S. Nadler
  • Patent number: 8511931
    Abstract: A junction between successive flat pre-fabricated elements which comprises an elastic transverse insert (9), an approaching mechanism (10) in the form of tie beams (23) and tensioning mechanisms (19). The flat pre-fabricated elements (2) to be assembled each have a transverse channel (3) adapted so as to receive the insert along the end transverse edges (4, 5) thereof, which must face each other after assembly on the ground, and conduits (7) of the tie beams. Each pre-fabricated element is successively arranged, one after the other, and the transverse insert is introduced into the transverse housing (6) formed by transverse channels facing each other. The tie beams are introduced into the conduits, the ends thereof projecting outside the pre-fabricated elements. The tie beams are then tensioned by a tensioning mechanism, at each of the ends thereof, in order to immobilize the flat pre-fabricated elements and thereby connected by the tie beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventors: Martin Klotz, Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 8499394
    Abstract: A waterproof expansion joint comprises a ballast protection plate with one or more centering tabs. Waterproof receptacles, or T-cups, are used to provide a waterproof layer under the ballast protection plate and around the centering tabs. Sealing tape and a spray-based waterproof membrane are installed with the T-cups. Once the ballast protection plate is placed over the deck joint with centering tabs extending downward into the T-cups, a bond breaker is applied. Finally, a second layer of waterproof membrane is applied to the top of all elements of the waterproof expansion joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Versaflex, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Haydu
  • Patent number: 8468766
    Abstract: A metal flange connection for concrete flanges comprising end members exposed at facing ends of a pair of adjacent, generally horizontal concrete flanges and a connecting member between the end members. Each of the end members has a surface along the end of the concrete flange and the connecting member has a first portion extending between the end members in a first generally horizontal plane and a second portion extending between the members in a second generally horizontal plane above or below the first generally horizontal plane. The first and second portions are connected by a third portion extending between the members and the first and second planes. The connecting member portions provide resistance to a force tending to translate the concrete flanges in a vertical direction with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: LEK Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Keenan
  • Patent number: 8465222
    Abstract: A tapered dowel bar for transferring loads across a joint between adjacent concrete slabs is disclosed. The dowel tapers from one relatively wide cross section into one or more relatively narrow ends. The shape of the dowel is optimized to provide the highest amount of steel along the joint where the loads are highest. The tapered dowel is embedded in one or both sides into a socket assembly that connects the dowel to essentially planar top and bottom surfaces of a pocket former embedded in the concrete. The load transfer assembly restricts any relative vertical displacement between the first and second slabs. The socket assembly embedded in the pocket former or equipped with compressible material accommodates relative horizontal movement between adjacent slabs in directions essentially parallel and perpendicular to the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: Ziad Ghauch, Hadi Ghauch
  • Patent number: 8206059
    Abstract: A load transfer apparatus accommodates movement between adjacent concrete slabs. The load transfer apparatus includes a spine in a form of an elongated hinge having a longitudinal axis A. A first dowel and a second dowel project radially from the spine and are located at two spaced points along said longitudinal axis A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventors: Herbert F. Southgate, Kamyar C. Mahboub, Alireza Zeinali
  • Patent number: 7905680
    Abstract: Provided herein are a concrete dowel placement device and methods of use. The device 100 generally comprises a dowel receiving sleeve 110, a flange 120 formed to extend perpendicularly and completely about an open end b of the dowel receiving sleeve and at least one tooth-like locking structure 140a,b integrally formed on the outer surface 111 of the sleeve and proximate to the flange. The combination of the flange and the tooth-like locking structure secures the deviced to a concrete form so that a dowel rod 150 or piece of rebar placed therein maintains its position during a concrete pour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventors: Steve Albritton, Earl Remmert, Ming Liang
  • Publication number: 20100054858
    Abstract: This invention relates to a shear dowel assembly for distributing loads between adjacent concrete slabs, separated by a joint. The shear dowel assembly includes a dowel sheath having a front face and a rear face. The rear face of the dowel sheath is imbedded within the first concrete slab, whereas the front face is left substantially flush with the side of said first concrete slab. The front face also has a portion defining an opening therein. There is also provided a shear dowel adapted to be inserted into the opening in the dowel sheath, with a first end of the shear dowel abutting the rear face of the dowel sheath, and a second end of the shear dowel extending out from the opening in the dowel sheath, whereby the shear dowel may be embedded within a second adjacent concrete slab to be poured. The shear dowel has a width of constant cross section, and is preferably trapezoidal (or in the shape of a trapezium) in plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: PCLN HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Lindsay Neil Mayo, Carl Bernard Wickins
  • Patent number: 7441985
    Abstract: First and second cast-in-place concrete slabs are maintained in alignment by cutting a semi-circular groove in an edge surface of the first formed slab, positioning a flat rectangular dowel within the groove so that the dowel extends outwardly from the edge surface, and then casting the second slab against the edge surface to embed the dowel within the second slab. A gasket is engaged with the dowel to seal the groove against the intrusion of fluid concrete as the second cast-in-place. The gasket also serves to space the dowel from the groove to accommodate limited lateral movement of the dowel and groove relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: MMI Management Services LP
    Inventors: David L. Kelly, Scott L. Collins
  • Publication number: 20080014018
    Abstract: A generally rectangular load plate for transferring loads between a first cast-in-place slab and a second cast-in-place slab separated by a joint. The load plate being adapted to transfer load between the first and second slabs directed essentially perpendicular to the intended upper surface of the first slab, and allowing relative movement between adjacent concrete slabs along the joint between the slabs with minimal joint opening between the slabs. A pocket former embedded within the first slab may also be included to position the load plate and create void space on the sides of the load plate to permit the relative movement. A compressible material along the side of the load plate may also be used to permit the relative movement. Neither the void space created by the pocket former nor the compressible material are dependent upon the existence of a significant gap in the joint between the concrete slabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Russell Boxall, Nigel Parkes
  • Publication number: 20070269266
    Abstract: First and second cast-in-place concrete slabs are maintained in alignment by cutting a semi-circular groove in an edge surface of the first formed slab, positioning a flat rectangular dowel within the groove so that the dowel extends outwardly from the edge surface, and then casting the second slab against the edge surface to embed the dowel within the second slab. A gasket is engaged with the dowel to seal the groove against the intrusion of fluid concrete as the second cast-in-place. The gasket also serves to space the dowel from the groove to accommodate limited lateral movement of the dowel and groove relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: David L. Kelly, Scott L. Collins
  • Publication number: 20070231068
    Abstract: An assembly for use in the formation of adjacent concrete slabs to provide a flat rectangular dowel engaged between the slabs. The assembly comprises a pocket which is cast in place in the edge portion of the first slab to be formed, with the dowel fully confined within the pocket. After the formation of the first slab, the dowel is partially withdraw from the pocket and the second slab is formed in place against the first slab, with the dowel in spanning relationship to the respective slabs. In the preferred embodiments, the pocket comprises a monolithic plastic box having complimental generally rigid upper and lower sections movable between a closed condition defining the pocket therebetween and an open condition exposing the pocket interiorly. One edge of the pocket is formed with an opening through which the dowel passes as it moves between the fully confined and the partially withdrawn positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Sidney E. Francies, David L. Kelly
  • Patent number: 7223046
    Abstract: A device to ensure that when the transverse contraction joint in a pavement and the like cracks, the crack extends through the middle of the dowel bar. A dowel is a smooth continuous bar that is embedded in a concrete pavement. It provides vertical shear resistance across a joint. Shortly after the concrete is place and sets, the concrete pavement starts to dry out. The drying out process produces a strain in the concrete pavement due to shrinkage causing the concrete to crack. In order to control the cracking, a saw cut is made in the pavement. The saw cut is centered in the middle of the embedded dowel bar. The saw cut provides a weaken plane in the pavement, thereby controlling the location of the crack. The saw cut and crack form the transverse contraction joint in the pavement. The crack extends from the bottom of the saw cut through the dowel bar to the bottom of the pavement. The crack does not always extend straight down to the bottom of the pavement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Malcolm K. Lim
  • Patent number: 7134805
    Abstract: A pre-fabricated concrete slab system and method have matching rectangular male and female type slabs which fit adjacent to each other in a checkerboard fashion. The male slabs include spaced reinforcing rods extending longitudinally and transversely through the male slabs with the rods' distal ends protruding outwardly away from one or more side edges of the male slabs to form a plurality of male connectors. The female slabs include a plurality of corresponding female sockets on one or more sides of the female slab, each female socket receiving a corresponding male connector when dropped therein. Corresponding female sockets positioned on opposite side edges of the female slabs are interconnected by steel reinforcing bars in both the longitudinal and transverse directions in a configuration similar to the male slabs so that, when connected, a continuous tension reinforcement is established between male and female slabs in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kwik Slab, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred A. Yee
  • Patent number: 6991400
    Abstract: An improved sealant cap which is comprised of a flexible material, preferably, but not necessarily made of lead or other material having the same properties of lead, having a first arm member which is inserted downward into the caulking material after the caulking material has been in place within the joint. The downward depending arm portion extends from a cap portion downward, so that as the arm member is pushed into the caulking material, the upper cap portion spans across the joint and rests on the adjoining stone members. There is further provided a plurality of ridges formed on the undersurface of the cap portion of the improved cap cover with the ridges increasing the area (by 50%) of the underside of the cap for the sealant to adhere to and the surface of the stone in such a manner as to prevent the cap from separating from the stone and insuring an elastic protection for the joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Gerald I. Negueloua
  • Patent number: 6931807
    Abstract: A bridging device for joint gaps (1) between building parts (2, 3) including bridge parts, with an expansion joint construction (4) bridging a joint gap (1). The expansion joint construction (4) permits position changes of the building parts (2, 3) with respect to one another. A safety construction (12, 15) is provided which permits a position change of the building parts (2, 3) with respect to one another without a separation destroying the function of the bridging device. The safety construction (12, 15) comprises at least two mutually firmly connected elements which upon exceeding of a defined threshold load are separated and movable with respect to one another. One element is firmly arranged on one of the building parts (2, 3) and the other element is part of the expansion joint construction (4) or receives the latter. The two connected element are defined by a rail (24)and a slide (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Maurer Sohne GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Braun
  • Publication number: 20040016065
    Abstract: An expansion joint system which is provided to accommodate forces applied to highway construction during normal changes in ambient conditions, and which is also designed to withstand seismic forces and vehicular forces, which may be applied in transverse and longitudinal directions. The system includes spaced-apart transverse vehicle load bearing members which are placed in a gap defined between adjacent sections of highway construction, longitudinally extending support members positioned beneath the load bearing members, means embedded within the adjacent roadway sections that control longitudinal, transverse and vertical movement, and a mechanism for controlling the spacing between the transverse load bearing beams. Preferably, this mechanism maintains a substantially equal distance between the transverse load bearing beam members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: MBT Holding AG
    Inventors: Debra Steiger, Paul Bradford, David Kent Fugard, Charles Haas, Wayne Walter
  • Patent number: 6588160
    Abstract: A composite structural member with pre-compression assembly. The apparatus comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending composite units. Each composite unit comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending girders or beams disposed on the bridge supports and a deck portion made of a moldable material and attached to the beams. Pre-compression is used for clamping adjacent units together such that a gap or hardened grout-filled joint between the deck portions thereof is substantially closed. The pre-compression portion of the apparatus includes a threaded member disposed through holes in facing beams of adjacent composite units with a fastener engaging the threaded member so that tightening of the fastener on the threaded member pulls the adjacent units together. The deck portions of the composite units may use a tongue-in-groove construction, and adhesive may be placed in the gap between the deck portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Stanley J. Grossman
  • Patent number: 6471441
    Abstract: A shear-load chuck which is mounted between two members and has a multi-layer structure for transmitting dynamic loads. The multi-layer shear-load chuck is mounted on one surface of a junction like in the traditional bushing of a shear load chuck. A support basket is arranged correspondingly on both sides of the junction and has an end plate as well as at least one strap-like loop. The end plate forms together with the at least one strap-like loop a closed load system. The support basket is attached to the shear-load chuck on one surface of the junction, while it is attached to the bushing on the other surface of the junction. It is further possible to change the cross-sectional shape of the multi-layer shear-load chuck as well as the structural shape of the strap-like loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Pecon AG
    Inventor: Erich Müller
  • Patent number: 6354760
    Abstract: A load plate for transferring loads between a first cast-in-place slab and a second cast-in-place slab separated by a joint. The load plate having a substantially tapered end having substantially planar upper and lower surfaces adapted to protrude into and engage the first slab, and the load plate being adapted to transfer between the first and second slabs a load directed substantially perpendicular to the intended upper surface of the first slab. A blockout sheath embedded within the first slab could also be included. The block out sheath could have a substantially planar top surface and a substantially planar bottom surface substantially parallel to the upper surface of the first slab. The top and bottom surfaces of the blockout sheath could each have a width, measured parallel to an intersection between the joint surface and the upper surface of the first slab, that substantially decreases away from the joint surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventors: Russell Boxall, Nigel K. Parkes
  • Patent number: 5964069
    Abstract: A bridging means for joint gaps between building components with an expansion joint construction bridging the joint gap, which is mountable on both sides of the joint gap on the building parts, is characterized in that at least between one of said building components and the expansion joint construction a safety means is arranged which is of such construction that said expansion joint construction will be guided out of the joint gap, if a limiting force acting between said building components is exceeded. Said safety means preferably is formed as slide ramp means between said expansion joint construction and the building component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Maurer Soehne GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Erich Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5887308
    Abstract: An expansion joint system which is designed to accommodate forces applied to highway construction during normal changes in ambient conditions, and which is also designed to withstand seismic forces which may be applied in transverse and longitudinal directions. The system comprises spaced-apart transverse beams which are placed in a gap defined between adjacent sections of highway construction such as in a bridge. Longitudinally extending support bars are positioned beneath the beams, and the ends of the bars are located in the interiors of boxes associated with the highway sections. One set of boxes confines bar ends against transverse movement but permits longitudinal movement. The other set of boxes permits the transverse movement but limits longitudinal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Watson Bowman Acme Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne J. Walter
  • Patent number: 5810507
    Abstract: A light-weight, corrosion-resistant, readily installed bridge deck is formed of modular deck panels spliced to each other on site. Each of the deck panels is shop-fabricated by longitudinally welding flanges of adjacently placed multi-void extruded aluminum alloy structural elements. Transfer splices of longitudinally adjacent elongate elements are made by providing shear elements connecting individual elongate structural elements of each deck panel end-to-end prior to longitudinal welding of adjacent elongate elements, with the end joints between the elongate elements being arrayed in a staggered manner. A safety rail system is mounted to run alongside and above outer edges of the finished bridge deck mounted to a system of support girders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: John J. Ahlskog, John Randolph Kissell, Brian J. Malloy, Adam D. Matteo, Glen A. Taylor, Kurt P. Thompson, George B. Tyler, Roman Wolchuk
  • Patent number: 5603134
    Abstract: A portable bridge system formed from at least a pair of substantially rectangular bridge platforms positioned in side-by-side relationship including end locking plates for locking the platforms together at the end regions thereof. The invention further includes shear plates integral with, and spaced along, a side edge of the bridge platform for engagement with an adjacent bridge platform to resist transverse shear forces between adjacent bridge platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Coastal Lumber Company
    Inventors: Craig R. Whipkey, Peter L. Bloomer, Kirk Wright, Michael P. Wolcott
  • Patent number: 5338130
    Abstract: An expansion joint retainer is used in fastening a flexible elastomeric seal or strip seal to a structural slab. The retainer has a main body made from a first material. The main body has a thickness selected to permit emplacement of the retainer on the edge of a slab whereby the upper surface of the main body is substantially coplanar with or beneath the upper traffic bearing surface of the slab. The retainer includes a retaining element adjacent the lower surface of the main body. The retaining element is made of a second material serving to provide the retainer with sufficient rigidity to be bolted to a slab. The invention is characterized in that the second material is a thermoplastic elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Konrad Baerveldt
  • Patent number: 5302050
    Abstract: A device for bridging expansion joints in bridges or the like is provided with parallel lamellae arranged at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the traffic route. The lamellae are supported on at least two inclined traverses which are pivoted and movably supported at both sides in the joint edges, which bridge said joint diagonally with respect to the longitudinal axis, and are rotatably and movably guided in sliding drag bearings at the bottoms of the lamellae. The inclined traverses are arranged parallel to each other, whereby the support width of the lamellae is always uniform. At least one longitudinal traverse which is movably connected the longitudinal direction with each lamellae via sliding bearings fixed at the bottoms of the lamellae is provided for, preferably at the edge, for taking up the forces which inevitably occur due to movements of the bridge superstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Friedrich Mauerer Sohne GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunter Buckenauer, Christian Braun
  • Patent number: 5116653
    Abstract: An improved expansion joint material for placement between adjoining slabs of concrete. The material is a non-porous water impermeable, polymerically bound reclaimed rubber and/or foam particles. The material is treated so as to be resistant to microbes, oil and fungi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: Antonio Frandina
  • Patent number: 5067297
    Abstract: An improved expansion-joint cover assembly of the type having a first base member secured to a first structural section and a second base member secured to a second structural section and a flexible-spring cover member coupled between said base members and overlying the open joint. The improvement comprising an interchangeable trim strip portion removably secured to the end of a first wall defining a passageway in said second base to receive the free end of said cover member and an interchangeable spring support removably secured to the end of the second wall defining such passageway. The spring support includes a support tip which engages the cover member and forces it into intimate contact with the trim strip supporting such cover member and holding it in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Watson Bowman Acme Corp.
    Inventor: John E. Sobol
  • Patent number: 4956955
    Abstract: An expansion joint cover assembly includes base frame members secured to building sections having an expansion joint gap defined therebetween. Cover frame members are secured to the base frame members in such a manner as to define cavities therebetween, and opposite side edge portions of a covering connecting plate are slidably disposed within the cavities so as to cover the expansion joint gap defined between the building sections under expansion and contraction conditions. The cover frame members further include channel sections for housing edge portions of interior design material panels, for example, ceiling panels, wall panels, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Inventor: Toshikazu Ohmatsu
  • Patent number: 4930677
    Abstract: A connector for a concrete structure including two generally flat plates connected together along one edge to form an elongated structure having substantially an L-shaped cross section. One plate has an opening sized to allow unset concrete to flow through the opening and to hold the plate firmly within the concrete when it is set. When this plate is held within the concrete, the other plate protrudes from the concrete and is available for connection with another such connector by direct welding or clamping of the two plates together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Michael J. A. H. Jolliffee
  • Patent number: 4883385
    Abstract: In the construction of concrete pavement on a roadbed by a continuous concrete paving machine, the end of a section of the pavement is finished off by setting on the roadbed an assembly comprising a plurality of elongated coupling members connected together in spaced parallel relation, with each of these coupling members having releasably secured therein a dowel of a hard plastic material which projects downstream from the associated coupling member. After this assembly has been embedded in freshly laid payment and the paving operation is terminated, the new pavement is saw cut along a vertical plane intersecting the plastic dowels, and the concrete containing the cut off dowel portions is removed. The dowel stubs in the resulting end face of the pavement are than removed and replaced by steel dowels which project beyond the end face of the pavement section for embedding in the next section of pavement to be laid in order to serve as load transfer means between the two pavement sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Dayton Superior Corporation
    Inventor: Mark K. Kaler
  • Patent number: 4833851
    Abstract: An expansion joint comprises a pair of support bases having a rail type shape lack of which is continuous in the longitudinal direction and is fixed to each edge of both members of a building defining an expansion joint gap, a plurality of connecting members for connecting both support bases together so that the gap between the bases is expansible or contractible, and a cover plate of a proper length connected to the connecting members so as to span the expansion joint gap while being disposed atop the upper ends of both support bases which are slideable with respect to the cover plate under expansion and contraction conditions and which are formed with concave portions for accommodating a finish material on the internal surface side, whereby a surface material substantially identical with a surface material of the members of the building adjacent the expansion joint may be disposed within the concave portion for accommodating the finish material of the cover plate so as to integrate its appearance with respe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: Toshikazu Ohmatsu
  • Patent number: 4773791
    Abstract: In a joint bridging construction for structures in which the sealing body of elastic material, which is flush with the top surface of the structure, by means of beads is inserted from above into upwardly open recesses of edge girders and against sliding-out is guarded by substantially circular retaining members one part of which are embedded in the retaining girders and the other part of which are embedded in the beads, there are provided, for structures constructed as buildings, edge girders each of which consists of at least one sheet metal strip extending in longitudinal direction of the joint, at least those two flanks of said strip facing the top surface of the building being formed by doubling the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Inventor: Alfred Hartkorn
  • Patent number: 4733513
    Abstract: An improved dowel or tying bar and joint construction for transferring stresses across a joint between concrete slabs or structures and accommodating for shrinkage and expansion of concrete. The bar has a resilient facing attached to at least one side of the bar so that the concrete slab or structure can move in relationship to the bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to the resilient facing. The bar is arranged across the joint in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis defined by the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventors: Ernest K. Schrader, Robert F. Oury
  • Patent number: 4674912
    Abstract: The arrangement for covering over a gap in a roadway has bars running across the roadway. The bars are supported by transverse beams spanning the gap obliquely and which are supported at their ends in joint gap edge structures in such a way that the ends of the beams are able to slide and swivel in relation to the edge structures. The bars are carried on the beams by friction-reducing bearing parts so that sliding of the bars is possible. The bars have openings through the structure thereof (as for example holes in the bar itself or in a frame fixed thereto) to take up the beams and the bearing parts are adapted to allow sliding without swiveling between each bearing part and the associated beam and to allow swiveling between the bearing part and a bar joined thereto. The bearings are made of elastically yielding material and each have at least one bearing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Friedrich Maurer Sohne GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gunter Buckenauer
  • Patent number: 4594830
    Abstract: A unit for bonding two structural reinforced concrete components comprises a mounting strip having a pair of oppositely directed main faces and a plurality of connector rods held firmly on the mounting strip. Portions of the connector rods project at intervals along one side of the mounting strip and the connector rods have arms bent to a knee shape, the arms being positioned within the mounting strip. One of the main faces of the strip on the side away from the projecting portions of the connector rods defines at least two grooves parallel with one another and extending in the longitudinal direction of the mounting strip. The grooves have a width substantially equal to the diameter of the connector rods and a depth at least equal to the diameter. The mounting strip further includes holes at intervals along its length, the holes extending from the bottoms of respective ones of the grooves towards the opposite main face of the mounting strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: AVI Alpenl. Veredelungs-Industrie GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Matz, Gerhard Ritter, Klaus Ritter